Which cab? 200W or 300W (both 8 ohms)

Lemming16 · #1 06-03-2011, 02:22 PM

Hi everyone, i own a vintage Acoustic B320 amp , it's this one ( BassHeadB320 < Acoustic < Wiki )

It's 320W at 4 ohms. My question is:
Which cab would be better?
1.-Keep using my Ampeg BSE410H (4x10) 200W @ 8 ohms
2.-Trade my Ampeg BSE410h for a Hartke Transporter 4x10, 300W @ 8 ohms (Also, Made in USA, as my ampeg)
3.- Sell my Ampeg, and get another cab you guys suggest me (the only condition, is that i want it with 10", speakers).

Thanks in advance

P.S: I would also like to know if i should use my amp with my 200W 8 ohms cab,i feel like it is too much for my cab.

billfitzmaurice · #2 06-03-2011, 02:24 PM

Watts mean nothing, what limits cab output is driver displacement. Too bad not a single manufacturer will tell you the displacement of their speakers. The only way to know for sure is to try your cab side by side with a Hartke.

Lemming16 · #3 06-03-2011, 03:10 PM

So, still, what do you recommend?

zachoff · #4 06-03-2011, 03:22 PM

Sell it & get something that can handle more watts & isn't Hartke and definitely doesn't have aluminum cones. I'd probably get a SWR Goliath III if it were up to me..

Sundogue · #5 06-03-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemming16

So, still, what do you recommend?

I recommend you shop around more. Forget about driver size...like "10's sound like this, 15's sound like that, blah, blah, blah". It's all BS.

So is wattage. As BFM mentioned it's about displacement. Typical cabs are actually displacement limited to about half their thermal (wattage) rating anyway.

The only thing that is going to work for you is taking your head with you and shop around until you find the cab that will give you the tone you want at the volume you want. Any other recommendation is like a fart in the wind.

If you want more of a recommendation than that, write down the names of all the cabs you might think you'll like, and tape them to a spinning wheel and throw darts at it.

bassgrant · #6 06-03-2011, 04:09 PM

I love Hartke but the transporter range aint their best. Don't dismiss aluminium cones though just necause they are aluminium. Like the other dudes said, get out with your head and try some out

zachoff · #7 06-03-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgrant

I love Hartke but the transporter range aint their best. Don't dismiss aluminium cones though just necause they are aluminium. Like the other dudes said, get out with your head and try some out

I dismiss them because they sound awful with dirt & distortion & that's a fairly big part of my setup. I'm sure they're fine for clean tones though.

bassgrant · #8 06-03-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachoff

They sound awful with dirt & distortion

You forgot IMO

billfitzmaurice · #9 06-03-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemming16

So, still, what do you recommend?

Since I don't happen to have an Ampeg BSE410h and a Hartke Transporter 4x10 on hand I can't make a recommendation. And the only person who can is one who does have both to try side by side. Ideally that would be you.

RickenBoogie · #10 06-03-2011, 05:04 PM

As has been suggested, forget the numbers, use what you have if you like it, buy something else if you don't. Use your ears, it's the only way.

JimmyM · #11 06-04-2011, 01:12 AM

Larry Hartke is a terrific guy and makes some great stuff. The Transporter series is his budget line...it's fine if you're on a very tight budget and need something that can handle some juice, but if you can afford a Hydrive, that's the sweet spot of the Hartke line, IMHO. The BSE cab may not handle much power, but I remember them as being pretty good sounding cabs. Been a while since I heard one, though. I would probably stick with it until you find something you really want. Just watch your volume and it'll be fine.

knappymer · #12 06-04-2011, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachoff

I dismiss them because they sound awful with dirt & distortion & that's a fairly big part of my setup. I'm sure they're fine for clean tones though.

I would have to respectively disagree. I had used transporter 410s for almost a decade and they always took just fine to pretty nasty distortions and fuzz. And even drop-tuning for that matter. Agreed that they are not the best, but I'd have to say they proved to get the job done.

Best advice has already been said, save some money. Buy the cab that sounds best to you.